PRTC decides to add 250 buses to its fleet

The new buses include 100 owned and run by the PRTC, while the remaining 150 buses under the kilometre (km) scheme.

Several key decisions, including adding new 250 buses to the fleet, were taken during the meeting of the board of directors of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) here on Wednesday. The board also passed Rs 550-crore budget of the PRTC for the 2017-18 financial year.

The PRTC board includes principal secretaries of both transport and finance departments, managing director and chairman of the corporation, State Transport Commissioner (STC) and two representatives each from the Union ministry of shipping, road transport and highway and northern railways.

The new buses include 100 owned and run by the PRTC, while the remaining 150 buses under the kilometre (km) scheme. Moreover, with the addition of new buses, the PRTC will be able to replace all its old buses, which have lived off their lives. The corporation has also got permission to add 40 integral heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) buses.

Meanwhile, the board has given its nod to change the guidelines related to the km scheme buses to ensure transparency and keep transport mafia art bay.

As per new rules, no private transporter will be able to apply for these km scheme buses and one owner cannot run more than two buses under the scheme.

Meanwhile, to overcome shortage of the supervisory staff, the board has given its go-ahead for the recruitment of six general managers, four works managers, traffic managers and section officers through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).

“The officials have been directed to meet the target related to monthly income of the PRTC, for which its managing director Manjit Singh Narang has been asked to hold monthly review meetings with all depot managers,” said KK Sharma, PRTC chairman

The PRTC MD added that the depot managers have been strictly directed to conduct surprise checking of bus stands to ensure that the timing roasters are followed strictly.

“Strict action will be taken against the officials under whose jurisdiction anomalies are found in future. The managers have been asked to immediately report to the head office if any of the private transporters tried to violate the roaster or ply buses illegally without any permit,” he said.